Image forming apparatus and image forming system

ABSTRACT

In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a first image forming section configured to form an image with a visible image forming material; a second image forming section configured to form an image with an invisible image forming material; an image acquisition section configured to acquire a print image that should be printed on a medium as a printed matter; and a processor configured to acquire authentication information for authenticity determination added to the printed matter and carry out an image forming processing on not only the print image with the visible image forming material by the first image forming section but also the authentication information with the invisible image forming material by the second image forming section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 15/256,830filed Sep. 6, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image formingapparatus and an image forming system.

BACKGROUND

There is a method that creates a printed matter obtained by printing animage on a sheet having a duplication preventing function or attaches aseal to a printed matter for forgery prevention in order to preventunfair duplication or forgery of a printed matter. However, in such amethod, the cost of the sheet having the duplication preventing functionor the seal for forgery prevention is too high.

Furthermore, there is also a technology (ground tint printing) thatprints an image embedded with a character string as a background whichappears if copied as a duplication prevention technology of a printedmatter. However, in the ground tint printing, there is a problem thatsmall characters are not seen or the background becomes an obstacle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an exampleof the configuration of a digital multi-functional peripheral accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configurationof a control system of the digital multi-functional peripheral accordingto the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configurationof an image forming system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a print receiving processing of aprescription slip by the digital multi-functional peripheral accordingto the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating the flow of a processing bythe image forming system according to the embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating the flow of authenticitydetermination in a pharmacy in which the digital multi-functionalperipheral is not arranged in the image forming system according to theembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises afirst image forming section, a second image forming section, an imageacquisition section and a processor. The first image forming sectionforms an image with a visible image forming material. The second imageforming section forms an image with an invisible image forming material.The image acquisition section acquires a print image that should beprinted on a medium as a printed matter. The processor acquiresauthentication information for authenticity determination added to theprinted matter and carries out an image forming processing on not onlythe print image with the visible image forming material by the firstimage forming section but also the authentication information with theinvisible image forming material by the second image forming section.Furthermore, the processor can carry out simultaneously or in sequencethe image forming processing on the print image with the visible imageforming material by the first image forming section and theauthentication information with the invisible image forming material bythe second image forming section.

In accordance with another embodiment, an image forming method involvesforming an image with a visible image forming material; forming an imagewith an invisible image forming material; acquiring a print image thatshould be printed on a medium as a printed matter; acquiringauthentication information for authenticity determination added to theprinted matter; and carrying out an image forming processing on theprint image with the visible image forming material and theauthentication information with the invisible image forming material.

Hereinafter, the embodiment is described with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of theconfiguration of a digital multi-functional peripheral as an imageforming apparatus according to the embodiment. The digitalmulti-functional peripheral (MFP) 1 according to the present embodimentfunctions as the image forming apparatus which forms a printed mattersuch as a prescription slip. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital MFP 1includes a printer 2, a scanner 3, an operation panel 4 and a systemcontrol section 5.

The scanner 3 reads an image of a document to convert the read image toimage data. In the example of the configuration shown in FIG. 1, thescanner 3 is arranged on the upper part of the main body of the digitalMFP. The scanner 3 includes a first reading section 11, a second readingsection 12, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 13 and a document table glass14. The scanner 3 has a function of reading an image of a documentconveyed by the ADF 13 with the first reading section 11 or the secondreading section 12 and a function of scanning the document placed on thedocument table glass 14.

The first reading section 11 is a scanner for reading an image (visibleimage) of a document with normal visible light. In one embodiment,visible light has a wavelength from 400 nm to 700 nm. The first readingsection 11 includes an illumination section for emitting the visiblelight to the document and a photoelectric conversion section for readingthe visible light from a document surface as the image data. The firstreading section 11 reads the image of the document conveyed by the ADF13 at a predetermined document reading position. Further, the firstreading section 11 enables the reading position to move along thedocument table glass 14 through a movement mechanism to scan the imageon the surface of the document placed on the document table glass 14.The first reading section 11 also functions as an image acquisitionsection for acquiring the image of the document as information (a printimage) which should be printed on a medium as the visible image.

The second reading section 12 is a scanner for reading an invisibleimage formed on the document surface with invisible light such as UVrays. In one embodiment, UV light has a wavelength from 10 nm to 380 nm.For example, the second reading section 12 is an UV scanner for emittingUV (ultraviolet) rays as the invisible light and reading a fluorescenceimage capable of being read with the emitted UV rays. In the presentembodiment, it is described that the second reading section 12 isassumed as the UV scanner for reading the image formed with UV tonerdescribed later. The second reading section 12 as the UV scannerincludes an illumination section for emitting the UV rays and aphotoelectric conversion section for reading the fluorescence imagecapable of being read with the UV rays. However, the second readingsection 12 as the UV scanner is constituted in such a manner that the UVrays as the invisible light are not emitted to the outside of theapparatus.

The second reading section 12 reads the image on the surface of thedocument conveyed by the ADF 13 at a predetermined document readingposition in a case of reading the document conveyed by the ADF 13. Thus,the second reading section 12 is constituted in such a manner that theUV rays emitted by the illumination section at a reading position arenot emitted to the outside of the apparatus. Further, the second readingsection 12 enables the reading position to move along the document tableglass 14 through a movement mechanism to scan the image on the surfaceof the document placed on the document table glass 14. The secondreading section 12 reads the fluorescence image in a state in which acover (ADF 13) of the document table glass 14 is being closed so thatthe UV rays through the document table glass 14 are not emitted to theoutside of the apparatus.

The ADF 13 conveys the documents one by one to a predetermined sheetfeed position. The ADF 13 conveys the document in such a manner that thedocument surface passes through the document reading position of thefirst reading section 11 and the document reading position of the secondreading section 12. The document reading position of the first readingsection 11 and the document reading position of the second readingsection 12 may be identical to or different from each other. The firstreading section 11 may set a position of reading a first surface (forexample, surface) of the document as the document reading position, andthe second reading section 12 may set a position of reading a secondsurface (for example, back surface) of the document as the documentreading position. Furthermore, the document is placed on the documenttable glass 14. In a case in which the document is placed on thedocument table glass 14, the ADF 13 functions as the cover against thedocument table glass 14. In this case, the ADF 13 as the cover alsofunctions as a device for shielding the light emitted by the firstreading section or the second reading section to the document tableglass (document).

Next, the printer 2 is described.

The printer 2 functions as the image forming apparatus. The printer 2includes a first image forming section and a second image formingsection. The first image forming section forms a visible image capableof being read with the normal visible light. For example, the firstimage forming section forms the visible image on a sheet with a black orcolored image forming material (YMCK toner). The second image formingsection forms an invisible image which cannot be recognized with humaneyes. The invisible image formed by the second image forming section isan image which can be recognized (read) with eyes with specificinvisible light (for example, UV rays). For example, the second imageforming section forms the invisible image on the sheet with the UV toneras an image forming material which can be recognized with eyes throughirradiation of the invisible light.

In the example of the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the printer 2includes a sheet feed cassette 20. For example, the sheet feed cassette20 is detachably arranged at the lower part of the main body of thedigital MFP. The sheet feed cassette 20 stores a sheet as an imageforming medium on which an image is formed. The sheet feed cassette 20includes a pickup roller 21. The pickup roller 21 picks up sheets one byone from the sheet feed cassette 20. The pickup roller 21 supplies thepicked up sheet to a conveyance path (conveyance section) 22 composed ofa plurality of conveyance rollers. The number of the sheet feedcassettes and that of the pickup rollers constituting a sheet feedsection are not limited to one. For example, the sheet feed section mayinclude a plurality of sheet feed cassettes and pickup rollers or amanual feed tray. The conveyance section 22 conveys the sheet suppliedby the pickup roller 21 to a resist roller 23. The resist roller 23conveys the sheet to a transfer position at a timing at which the imageis transferred.

The printer 2 includes a first image forming section 24 and a secondimage forming section 25. The first image forming section 24 forms animage with the visible image forming material. The first image formingsection 24 may form a monochrome image or a color image. The secondimage forming section 25 forms an image with the invisible image formingmaterial. In the present embodiment, the first image forming section 24forms the image with the YMCK toner (each toner of yellow (Y) toner,magenta (M) toner, cyan (C) toner and black (K) toner). In this case,the first image forming section 24 includes a photoconductive drum as animage carrier for the toner of each color (Y, M, C and K). Further, inthe present embodiment, the second image forming section 25 forms animage with the UV toner capable of being recognized with eyes with theUV rays. An electrostatic latent image is formed on each of thephotoconductive drums of the first image forming section 24 and thesecond image forming section 25 with laser light from an exposuresection 26. The exposure section 26 emits the laser light controlled bythe system control section 5 to the photoconductive drum via an opticalsystem such as a polygon mirror.

The first image forming section 24 forms a visible toner image bydeveloping the electrostatic latent image formed on each of thephotoconductive drums with each toner of Y toner, M toner, C toner and Ktoner. The second image forming section 25 forms an invisible tonerimage by developing the electrostatic latent image formed on thephotoconductive drum with the UV toner. An intermediate transfer belt 27is an intermediate transfer body. The first image forming section 24 andthe second image forming section 25 transfer (primarily transfer) thetoner image formed on each of the photoconductive drums onto theintermediate transfer belt 27. In a case in which the visible image andthe invisible image are printed on one medium (sheet), the first imageforming section 24 and the second image forming section 25 transfer eachtoner image of the YMCK and the UV toner image onto the intermediatetransfer belt 27 in an overlapped manner. In this way, the intermediatetransfer belt 27 holds an image obtained by overlapping the toner imagewith the toner of each color of the YMCK and the toner image with the UVtoner.

A transfer section 28 transfers the toner image on the intermediatetransfer belt 27 onto the sheet at a secondary transfer position. Thesecondary transfer position is a position at which the toner image onthe intermediate transfer belt 27 is transferred onto the sheet. Thesecondary transfer position is a position at which a support roller 28 afaces a secondary transfer roller 28 b. The resist roller 23 conveys thesheet to the secondary transfer position in accordance with a timing atwhich the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 27 is conveyedto the secondary transfer position. The transfer section 28 supplies thesheet onto which the toner image is transferred at the secondarytransfer position to a fixing section 29.

The fixing section (fixing device) 29 fixes the toner image on thesheet. In the example of the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the fixingsection 29 includes a heat roller 29 b in which a heating section 29 ais built and a pressurization section 29 c contacting with the heatroller 29 b in a pressurized state. The heating section 29 a, forexample, may be composed of a heater lamp such as a halogen lamp or maybe a heater with an inductive heating (IH) system. Further, the heatingsection 29 a may be composed of a plurality of heaters. The heatingsection 29 a heats the heat roller 29 b to a fixing temperature. Thefixing section 29 pressurizes the sheet onto which the toner image istransferred by the transfer section 28 and heats the sheet at the fixingtemperature. In this way, the fixing section 29 fixes the toner image onthe sheet.

The sheet on which the fixing section 29 carries out a fixing processingis conveyed to either a sheet discharge section 30 or an automaticduplex unit 31 through a conveyance mechanism. For example, in a case offorming an image on the back surface of the sheet to which the fixingprocessing is carried out, the conveyance mechanism switches back thesheet to convey the sheet to the ADU 31 after temporarily conveying thesheet to the sheet discharge section 30 side. The ADU 31 supplies thesheet in a state in which two sides thereof are inverted throughswitchback to the front of the resist roller 23 again. Further, in acase of discharging a sheet on which the fixing section 29 carries outthe fixing processing, the conveyance mechanism conveys the sheet to thesheet discharge section 30 side to discharge the sheet to the sheetdischarge section 30.

The operation panel 4 is a user interface. The operation panel 4 iscontrolled by the system control section 5. The operation panel 4outputs information input by a user to the system control section 5. Theuser designates an operation mode on the operation panel 4 or inputsinformation such as setting information.

Next, the configuration of a control system of the digital MFP isdescribed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of theconfiguration of the control system in each section of the digital MFP.

In the example of the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the system controlsection 5 includes a processor 50, a memory 51, an image memory 52, animage processing section 53, a storage device 54 and a communicationsection 55.

The processor 50 is connected with a processor of the scanner 3, aprocessor of the printer 2 and a processor of the operation panel 4 viaan interface. The processor 50 realizes various processing functions byexecuting programs stored in the memory 51 or the storage device 54. Forexample, the processor 50 executes a program stored in the memory 51 tooutput an operation instruction to each section or acquire various kindsof information from each section. Furthermore, the processor 50 executesa program stored in the memory 51 to realize a processing such as an UVprinting processing or an authenticity determination processingdescribed later.

The memory 51 includes a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), aROM (Read Only Memory) and a data memory. The RAM functions as a workingmemory or a buffer memory. The ROM is a non-rewritable nonvolatilememory. The ROM functions as a program memory. The data memory is arewritable non-volatile memory.

The image memory 52 stores the image data. For example, the image memory52 functions as a page memory for copying or decompressing the imagedata serving as a processed object. The image processing section 53processes the image data. For example, the image processing section 53corrects, compresses or expands the image data.

The storage device 54 stores control data, a control program, settinginformation and the like. The storage device 54 is composed of, forexample, a rewritable non-volatile memory. The storage device 54 mayhold information for the UV printing described later.

The communication section 55 is an interface for carrying out datacommunication with an external device. The communication section 55functions as an image acquisition section for acquiring a print imagewhich should be printed on a medium as a visible image from the externaldevice such as a PC. The communication section 55 also functions as aninterface for communicating with a server described later. In otherwords, the communication section 55 also functions as an interface foracquiring information (authentication information for authenticitydetermination) which should be printed on a medium as an invisible imagefrom the server described later.

Furthermore, the communication section 55 functions as first to fourthcommunication sections. The communication section 55 functioning asthese communication sections may be composed of a plurality ofinterfaces. For example, the communication section 55 may berespectively equipped with a first interface for acquiring a print imagefrom the external device and a second interface for communicating withthe server.

Next, an example of the configuration of the control system in theprinter 2 is described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 2 includes a processor 60, a memory 61,the conveyance section 22, the first image forming section 24, thesecond image forming section 25, the exposure section 26, the transfersection 28, the fixing section 29 and the ADU 31.

The processor 60 realizes various processing by executing programsstored in the memory 61. For example, the processor 60 executes aprogram to carry out operation control of each section in the printer 2and monitoring of an operation state of each section. The processor 60is connected with the processor 50 of the system control section 5 viaan interface. And in this way, the processor 60 executes a printingprocessing according to an operation instruction from the system controlsection 5.

The memory 61 includes a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), aROM (Read Only Memory) and a data memory. The RAM functions as a workingmemory or a buffer memory. The ROM is a non-rewritable nonvolatilememory. The ROM functions as a program memory. The data memory is arewritable non-volatile memory.

The conveyance section 22 drives the conveyance roller arranged in eachsection in the printer 2 according to an operation instruction from theprocessor 60. The exposure section 26 emits the laser light for formingthe electrostatic latent image to each of the photoconductive drums ofthe first image forming section 24 and the second image forming section25 according to an operation instruction from the processor 60. Thefirst image forming section 24 develops the electrostatic latent imageformed on the photoconductive drum with the toner of each coloraccording to an operation instruction from the processor 60. The secondimage forming section 25 develops the electrostatic latent image formedon the photoconductive drum with the UV toner according to an operationinstruction from the processor 60.

The transfer section 28 transfers the toner image transferred onto theintermediate transfer belt 27 onto the sheet according to an operationinstruction from the processor 60. The fixing section 29 drives the heatroller 29 b and the pressurization section 29 c according to anoperation instruction from the processor 60. The heating section 29 a ofthe fixing section 29 heats the surface temperature of the heat roller29 b to a desired fixing temperature according to the control of theprocessor 60. The fixing section 29 fixes the toner image transferredonto the sheet on the sheet in a state of being controlled at the fixingtemperature. The ADU 31 inverts two sides of the sheet passing throughthe fixing section 29 to supply the inverted sheet again according to anoperation instruction from the processor 60.

Next, an example of the configuration of the control system in thescanner 3 is described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner 3 includes a processor 70, a memory 71,the first reading section 11, the second reading section 12, the ADF 13and an opening and closing sensor 15.

The processor 70 realizes various processing by executing programsstored in the memory 71. For example, the processor 70 executes aprogram to carry out operation control of each section in the scanner 3and monitoring of an operation state of each section. The processor 70is connected with the processor 50 of the system control section 5 viaan interface. And in this way, the processor 70 executes a scanprocessing according to an operation instruction from the system controlsection 5.

The memory 71 includes a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), aROM (Read Only Memory) and a data memory. The RAM functions as a workingmemory or a buffer memory. The ROM is a non-rewritable nonvolatilememory. The ROM functions as a program memory. The data memory is arewritable non-volatile memory.

The first reading section 11 reads the image on the document surfacewith the visible light according to an operation instruction from theprocessor 70. For example, in a case of reading the visible image of thedocument on the document table glass 14, the first reading section 11moves the reading position at a predetermined speed to read the visibleimage of the whole document through emitting the visible light. Thesecond reading section 12 reads the image formed on the document surfacewith the UV toner as the fluorescence image according to an operationinstruction from the processor 70. For example, in a case of reading thefluorescence image of the document on the document table glass 14, thesecond reading section 12 moves the reading position at a predeterminedspeed to read the fluorescence image of the whole document throughemitting the invisible light (UV rays).

The ADF 13 conveys the documents one by one to the document readingposition according to an operation instruction from the processor 70.For example, in a case in which the document set in the ADF 13 is readby the first reading section 11 and the second reading section 12, theADF 13 conveys the document to pass through each of the document readingpositions at a predetermined conveyance speed. The opening and closingsensor 15 detects an opening and closing state of the ADF 13 as thecover against the document table glass 14. For example, in a case inwhich the second reading section 12 reads the document, the processor 70confirms that the ADF 13 is closed according to a detection signal ofthe opening and closing sensor 15.

Next, an example of the configuration of the control system in theoperation panel 4 is described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 4 includes a processor 80, amemory 81, a display section 82, a touch panel 83 and an operationbutton 84.

The processor 80 realizes various processing by executing programsstored in the memory 81. For example, the processor 80 executes aprogram to carry out operation control of each section in the operationpanel 4 and monitoring of an operation state of each section. Theprocessor 80 is connected with the processor 50 of the system controlsection 5 via an interface. For example, the processor 80 notifies thesystem control section 5 of the information input by the user.

The memory 81 includes a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), aROM (Read Only Memory) and a data memory. The RAM functions as a workingmemory or a buffer memory. The ROM is a non-rewritable nonvolatilememory. The ROM functions as a program memory. The data memory is arewritable non-volatile memory.

A display content of the display section 82 is controlled according toan operation instruction from the processor 80. The touch panel 83 whichis arranged on a display screen of the display section 82 detects aposition touched on the display screen. For example, the processordisplays an icon selectable with the touch panel 83 together withoperation guidance on the display section 82. The processor 80determines the information input by the user according to the touchposition detected by the touch panel 83. The operation button 84 iscomposed of hard keys such as a start key and a reset key.

Next, an image forming system containing the digital MFP is described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of theimage forming system according to the embodiment.

The image forming system shown in FIG. 3 is a system (authenticitydetermination system of a printed matter) containing authenticitydetermination of a printed matter. The printed matter may be optional aslong as the authenticity determination is necessary for the printedmatter. In the present embodiment, the printed matter is assumed as aprescription slip, issued in a hospital, which is required for aprescription of medicine in a pharmacy to be described.

In the example of the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the image formingsystem includes a first digital MFP 1A, a PC 102, a server 103, a seconddigital MFP 1B, a scanner 104 and a PC 105.

The first MFP 1A and the PC 102 are arranged in a hospital (publishingoffice) that issues a prescription slip as a printed matter. There maybe a plurality of the first MFPs 1A and a plurality of the PCs 102 inthe hospital.

The first MFP 1A includes the foregoing configuration shown in FIG. 1and FIG. 2. The first MFP 1A prints (issues) the prescription slip addedwith information for carrying out the authenticity determination. Inother words, the first MFP 1A prints the information for carrying outthe authenticity determination on the prescription slip with the UVtoner which cannot be recognized with human eyes.

The PC 102 is a computer operated by a person who instructs printing ofthe prescription slip. In the example of the configuration shown in FIG.3, the PC 102 includes a processor 120, a memory 121, a display section122, an operation section 123 and a communication section 124.

The processor 120 realizes various processing by executing programsstored in the memory 121. For example, the processor 120 executes aprogram (printer driver) to instruct the printing of the prescriptionslip to the first MFP 1A.

The memory 121 includes a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), aROM (Read Only Memory) and a data memory. The RAM functions as a workingmemory or a buffer memory. The ROM is a non-rewritable nonvolatilememory. The ROM functions as a program memory. The data memory is arewritable non-volatile memory.

A display content of the display section 122 is controlled according toan operation instruction from the processor 120. The operation section123 is composed of a keyboard, a numeric keypad and a pointing device.Further, the operation section 123 may be a touch panel arranged on thedisplay screen of the display section 122. The communication section 124is an interface for communicating with the first MFP 1A.

The server 103 is connected with a network communicable with the firstMFP 1A and the second MFP 1B. The server 103 manages information forauthenticity determination to be printed on the prescription slip withthe UV toner. In the example of the configuration shown in FIG. 3, theserver 103 includes a processor 130, a memory 131, a storage device(storage section) 132 and a communication section 133.

The processor 130 realizes various processing by executing programsstored in the memory 131. For example, the processor 130 executes aprogram to instruct the information that should be used for the printingof the prescription slip to the first MFP 1A. Further, the processor 130carries out the authenticity determination of the prescription slip onthe basis of the information read by the first MFP 1A from theprescription slip (printed matter).

The memory 131 includes a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory),ROM (Read Only Memory) and a data memory. The RAM functions as a workingmemory or a buffer memory. The ROM is a non-rewritable nonvolatilememory. The ROM functions as a program memory. The data memory is arewritable non-volatile memory.

The storage device 132 is a memory acting as a storage section forstoring the information to be printed on the prescription slip with theUV toner as the information for authenticity determination. Thecommunication section 133 is an interface for communicating with thefirst MFP 1A and the second MFP 1B via the network. The communicationsection 133 functions as a second communication section or a thirdcommunication section.

The second MFP 1B is arranged in a pharmacy (delivery office) A whichdelivers the medicine to a patient on the basis of the informationrecorded (printed) on the prescription slip as the printed matter. Inthe pharmacy, authenticity of the prescription slip is determined, andif it is determined that the prescription slip is genuine, the medicinerecorded on the prescription slip is delivered to the patient. In thepharmacy, there may be a plurality of the second MFPs 1B.

The second MFP 1B includes the foregoing configuration shown in FIG. 1and FIG. 2. The second MFP 1B reads a fluorescence image from theprescription slip received from the patient according to an operation ofa person such as a chemist in the pharmacy A. The second MFP 1Bdetermines the authenticity of the prescription slip on the basis of thefluorescence image read from the prescription slip. The second MFP 1Brequests the server 103 to carry out the authenticity determination onthe image read from the prescription slip and acquires an authenticitydetermination result from the server 103.

Further, in the example of the configuration shown in FIG. 3, thescanner 104 and the PC 105 are arranged in a pharmacy B. The MFP (MFPequipped with the UV scanner) with the configuration shown in FIG. 1 andFIG. 2 is arranged in the pharmacy B. Thus, the pharmacy B uses thescanner 104 to read an invisible image on the prescription slip andinquires a read result to the server 103 through the PC 105.

The scanner 104 sets the invisible image (image formed with the UVtoner) on the printed matter serving as an authenticity determinationobject as a readable image. The scanner 104 may read the image formedwith the UV toner as the fluorescence image. For example, the scanner104 emits the UV rays to the prescription slip serving as theauthenticity determination object to read the fluorescence image on theprescription slip. In this case, the scanner 104 supplies the readfluorescence image to the PC 105. The PC 105 sends the fluorescenceimage read by the scanner 104 to the server 103 and acquires anauthentication processing result as a result of the authenticitydetermination from the server 103.

The scanner 104 may be an illumination device (for example, black light)for irradiating the printed matter serving as the authenticitydetermination object with light in a state in which the person canrecognize the image formed with the UV toner with eyes. In this case,the PC 105 may input information (authentication information) containedin the image (fluorescence image) in a state of being visuallyrecognizable by the scanner 104 as the illumination device by anoperator. Further, the PC 105 may display the fluorescence image read bythe scanner 104 on a display device or receive an input of theauthentication information contained in the fluorescence image.

Next, operations of the image forming system constituted as stated aboveare described.

The first MFP 1A arranged in the hospital includes a print mode ofprinting a prescription slip (hereinafter, simply referred to as aprescription slip), delivered to the patient, on which information forauthenticity determination is printed. The prescription slip is theprinted matter on which the authentication information as theinformation for authenticity determination is printed with the UV toner.The first MFP 1A receives the printing of the prescription slipaccording to a print request from the PC 102 or an operation on theoperation panel 4. If receiving the printing of the prescription slip,the first MFP 1A prints information of prescription drugs with the YMCKtoner and prints the authentication information as the information forauthenticity determination with the UV toner. In this way, the first MFP1A issues the prescription slip on which the information of the drugs isprinted as the visible image and the authentication information as theinformation for authenticity determination is printed as the invisibleimage.

Firstly, a print receiving processing of receiving the printing of theprescription slip by the first MFP 1A is described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the print receiving processing of theprescription slip by the first MFP 1A.

If receiving the print request of the prescription slip from the PC 102(YES in ACT 1), the system control section of the first MFP 1A receivesthe printing of the prescription slip. The processor 120 of the PC 102executes the printer driver to send the print request of theprescription slip to the first MFP 1A. For example, an issuer (doctor ornurse) of the prescription slip designates contents (information ofprescribed medicine) of the prescription slip to be printed on the PC102 to start the printer driver. The contents of the prescription slipto be printed are information (visible information of the prescriptionslip) which should be printed on the prescription slip as the visibleimage.

The processor 120 of the PC 102 executes the printer driver as a programstored in the memory 121 to display a print setting screen on thedisplay section 122. The issuer selects the printing of the prescriptionslip (UV printing of the authentication information) on the printsetting screen to instruct execution of the printing. If the executionof the printing of the prescription slip is instructed, the processor120 generates print data of the visible information of the prescriptionslip including the information of the prescribed medicine. The processor120 sends the generated print image together with the print request ofthe prescription slip to the first MFP 1A. Through receiving the printrequest of the prescription slip from the PC 102, the processor 50 ofthe first MFP 1A receives the printing of the prescription slip to startthe printing processing of the prescription slip.

A prescription slip print button (specific button) 84 a for instructingthe printing of the prescription slip is arranged on the operation panel4 of the first MFP 1A. The specific button 84 a instructs the printingof the prescription slip added with the authentication information forauthenticity determination on the image of the document read by thescanner 3. The specific button 84 a is a button for instructing a copyadded with the authentication information for authenticitydetermination. The specific button 84 a may be an icon selectable withthe touch panel or one assignment of the hard keys acting as theoperation button 84.

For example, in a case of setting a prescription slip (printed matter)without authentication information as the document and printing theprescription slip added with the authentication information, the issuersets the document in the scanner 3 and presses the specific button 84 a.If detecting an input to the specific button 84 a (YES in ACT 2), theprocessor 50 of the system control section 5 reads the image of thedocument as the visible image to be printed on the prescription slipwith the scanner 3 (ACT 3). The processor 50 of the system controlsection 5 prints the image read by the scanner 3 as the visible imageand further starts the printing processing of the prescription slip onwhich the authentication information is printed as the invisible image.

The first MFP 1A identifies whether or not the acquired print data isthe print image of the prescription slip, and if the acquired print datais the print image of the prescription slip, the first MFP 1A mayreceive the printing of the prescription slip. The acquired print datamay be data supplied from an external device such as the PC 102 or theimage of the document read by the scanner 3. The processor 50 of thesystem control section 5 detects specific information for specifying theprint image of the prescription slip from the acquired print data (ACT5) if acquiring the print data (YES in ACT 4).

The specific information may be optional as long as the specificinformation can specify the print image of the prescription slip. Forexample, the specific information is a character string called“prescription slip”. The processor 50 may detect print information ofthe invisible image (image with the UV toner) as the specificinformation. If the specific information can be detected (YES in ACT 6),the processor 50 carries out the printing processing of the prescriptionslip with the use of the acquired print data. On the contrary, if thespecific information cannot be detected (No in ACT 6), the processor 50executes a normal printing processing with the acquired print data.

According to the above processing, it is possible to receive theprinting of the prescription slip including the processing of printingthe authentication information for selecting the printing of theprescription slip as the invisible information through the printerdriver. Further, according to the foregoing processing, it is possibleto receive the print request from the PC through the printer driver.

Hereinafter, the operations of the image forming system according to thepresent embodiment are described.

Firstly, an issuing processing of the prescription slip by the imageforming system is described.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operationsof the image forming system. In the sequence shown in FIG. 5, processingin ACTs 11-16 and ACTs 21-23 illustrates the flow of the issuingprocessing of the prescription slip.

In the hospital, the doctor decides the medicine prescribed to thepatient on the basis of an examination result for the patient.Information indicating the medicine that the doctor decides to prescribeis input to the PC 102. The information indicating the medicine that thedoctor decides to prescribe is information (visible information of theprescription slip) printed on the prescription slip as the visibleimage. The information indicating the medicine that the doctor decidesto prescribe may be recorded in an image receiving medium such as asheet which can be read by the scanner 3 of the first MFP 1A withoutgoing through the PC 102. For example, the sheet hand-written by thedoctor may be set as the visible information of the prescription slip.

In other words, the first MFP 1A acquires the visible information of theprescription slip and receives the printing of the prescription slip(ACT 11) through the foregoing reception processing of the prescriptionslip. For example, the first MFP 1A receives the printing of theprescription slip through the visible information of the prescriptionslip received from the PC 102 or the visible information of theprescription slip read by the scanner 3 from the image receiving medium.

If receiving the printing of the prescription slip, the processor 50 ofthe first MFP 1A issues identification information for uniquelyspecifying the prescription slip to be issued. If the identificationinformation of the prescription slip is issued, the processor 50requests the server 103 to issue the information (authenticationinformation) used in the authenticity determination of the prescriptionslip via the communication section 55 (ACT 12). For example, theprocessor 50 sends the identification number of the prescription slipand an issue request of the authentication information to the server103.

The server 103 receives the issue request of the authenticationinformation from the first MFP 1A through the communication section 133.If receiving the issue request of the authentication information, theprocessor 130 of the server 103 issues the authentication information(ACT 21). The authentication information is authentication informationfor authenticity determination of the prescription slip managed by theserver 103. The authentication information may be information capable ofbeing printed by the second image forming section 25 of the first MFP 1Awith the UV toner as the image. For example, the authenticationinformation for authenticity determination is generated by combiningnumbers, characters and marks. The authentication information may beissued randomly, set in advance or issued according to a predeterminedrule. In the present embodiment, in consideration of application in thepharmacy B described later, the authentication information is assumed asan identification number composed of a number and characters capable ofidentifying the person.

If the authentication information is issued, the processor 130 storesthe issued authentication information in the storage device 132 inassociation with the identification number of the prescription slip (ACT22). The processor 130 may also store information such as informationindicating an issue date and time and an issue request source in thestorage device 132 in association with the issued authenticationinformation. If the issued authentication information is stored in thestorage device 132, the processor 130 sends the issued authenticationinformation to the MFP 1A serving as the issue request source via thecommunication section 133 (ACT 23).

The first MFP 1A receives the authentication information from the server103 through the communication section 55 (ACT 13) and if receiving theauthentication information from the server 103, the processor 50 of thefirst MFP 1A carries out setting of the print image to be printed on themedium as the prescription slip (ACT 14). The first MFP 1A acquires thevisible information of the prescription slip in the print receivingprocessing in ACT 11, and acquires the information (invisibleinformation of the prescription slip) to be printed on the prescriptionslip as the invisible image from the server 103. The processor 50 setsthe visible information of the prescription slip as print data withwhich an image is formed by the first image forming section 24 and theinvisible information of the prescription slip as print data with whichan image is formed by the second image forming section 25.

As the invisible information of the prescription slip is printed in aninvisible state, it is possible to print the invisible information atany position on the medium on which the visible image is printed. Inother words, as the invisible information of the prescription slip hasno effect on visibility of the visible image, setting of printing theinvisible information at any position on the prescription slip ispossible. For example, the processor 50 sets a print position of theauthentication information as the invisible image to a predeterminedposition on the medium regardless of the state of the visible image.

Further, in consideration of the configuration of the scanner 3 servingas a reading device of the prescription slip for the authenticitydetermination, the processor 50 may carry out the setting of the printimage. For example, the scanner 3 may be a configuration in which, forthe document conveyed by the ADF 13, the first reading section 11 readsthe surface (first surface) of the document and the second readingsection 12 reads the back surface (second surface) of the document. Ifthe scanner 3 with such a configuration is a system which reads theprescription slip, the processor 50 may print the visible information onthe surface and the invisible information (authentication information)on the back surface.

If the print images are set, the processor 50 executes the printingprocessing of the prescription slip with the printer 2 (ACT 15 and ACT16). In the printing processing of the prescription slip, the processor50 controls the printer 2 to print the invisible image on the visibleimage. In other words, the processor 50 carries out control in such amanner that the image with the UV toner is formed by the second imageforming section 25 on the image formed with each toner of the YMCK bythe first image forming section 24. For example, the processor 50 printsthe invisible image (image formed with the UV toner) on the sheet withthe second image forming section 25 after printing the visible image(image formed with the YMCK toner) on the sheet with the first imageforming section 24. Further, the processor 50 may form an image on theintermediate transfer belt in such a manner that the image formed withthe UV toner is rested on the image formed with the YMCK toner in a caseof transferring the image onto the sheet.

The prescription slip printed by the first MFP 1A through the printingprocessing of the prescription slip is handed over to the patient(receiver of the medicine), and an issue procedure of the prescriptionslip is ended. In the prescription slip printed by the first MFP 1A, asthe invisible image is printed on the visible image, the invisible imagecan be confirmedly read by the scanner 3. Further, in the prescriptionslip printed by the first MFP 1A, as the invisible image does not makethe visible image difficult to see, the visibility of the visible imageis also kept fine.

According to the foregoing processing, the MFP as the image formingapparatus according to the embodiment carries out the issuing(acquisition) processing of the authentication information if receivingthe printing of the prescription slip. The MFP prints the acquiredauthentication information on the prescription slip as the invisibleimage if acquiring the authentication information. In this way,according to the embodiment, the authentication information can beprinted on the prescription slip in the invisible state and duplicationof the prescription slip can be prevented.

Further, in the image forming system according to the embodiment, theMFP requests the server to issue the authentication information. Theserver issues the authentication information according to the issuerequest from the MFP. Further, the server stores the issuedauthentication information in the storage section. In this way, throughissuing and managing the authentication information with the server,security of the authentication information can be increased.

Next, a prescription procedure of the medicine based on the prescriptionslip (delivery of an article based on a printed matter) is described.

In the sequence shown in FIG. 5, processing in ACTs 31-36 and ACTs 41-45indicates the prescription (delivery) procedure of the medicine based onthe prescription slip.

The patient (or an agent of the patient) who receives the prescriptionslip in the hospital presents the prescription slip in the pharmacy. Acase in which the prescription slip is presented in the pharmacy A inwhich the MFP (second MFP) 1B with the configuration shown in FIG. 2 isarranged is described.

The prescription slip received from the patient in the pharmacy A is setin the scanner 3 of the second MFP 1B. In the second MFP 1B in which theprescription slip is set, reading of the prescription slip (authenticitydetermination of the prescription slip) is instructed on the operationpanel 4. If the reading of the prescription slip is instructed, theprocessor 50 of the second MFP 1B scans the prescription slip with thesecond reading section 12 of the scanner 3 (ACT 31). The second readingsection 12 scans the prescription slip to read the invisible imageprinted on the prescription slip as the fluorescence image.

If the authentication information (invisible image) is printed in apredetermined area of the prescription slip, the second reading section12 may read an area including a print area of the authenticationinformation. For example, if the visible image is printed on the firstsurface of the prescription slip and the invisible image is printed onthe second surface thereof, the processor 50 controls the second readingsection 12 to read the second surface of the prescription slip.

If the second reading section 12 reads the fluorescence image(visualized invisible image) from the prescription slip, the processor50 sends the read fluorescence image together with an authenticationrequest to the server 103 (ACT 32). Furthermore, the processor 50 maysend the identification information of the prescription slip togetherwith the authentication request to the server 103. In this case, theidentification information of the prescription slip may be recognizedfrom the visible image of the prescription slip read by the firstreading section 11 of the scanner 3 or input through the operation panel4.

The server 103 receives the authentication request from the second MFP1B through the communication section 133. If receiving theauthentication request, the processor 130 of the server 103 carries outthe authentication processing on the received fluorescence imagetogether with the authentication request (ACT 41). The processor 130recognizes the authentication information from the received invisibleimage. For example, if the authentication information is characterinformation, the processor 130 carries out character recognition on thereceived fluorescence image to acquire the authentication information.Further, in a case in which the authentication information is printedwith a bar code, the processor 130 extracts the bar code from thefluorescence image and decodes the extracted bar code to acquire theauthentication information. If receiving the authentication informationfrom the fluorescence image, the processor 130 carries out anauthentication processing based on collation between the acquiredauthentication information and the issued authentication informationstored in the storage section. The authentication processing is notlimited to the collation between the acquired authentication informationand the issued authentication information and can apply variousauthentication methods.

If the authentication is successful (YES in ACT 42), the processor 130notifies the second MFP 1B serving as the authentication request sourceof the authentication success (ACT 43). The second MFP 1B receives thenotification of the authentication success from the server 103 throughthe communication section 55 (ACT 33). If receiving the notification ofthe authentication success, the processor 50 of the second MFP 1Binforms a message indicating that the authentication is successful or amessage indicating that the prescription slip is valid (ACT 34). Forexample, the processor 50 displays the message indicating that theauthentication of the prescription slip is successful or the messageindicating that the prescription slip is valid on the display section 82of the operation panel 4. In a case in which the message indicating thatthe authentication is successful is informed, in the pharmacy, themedicine is prescribed on the basis of the prescription slip, and theprescribed medicine is handed over to the patient.

After delivering the medicine based on the prescription slip to thepatient, the processor 50 of the second MFP 1B notifies the server 103of the information (prescribed information) indicating the prescribedprescription slip (ACT 35). If receiving the prescribed information, theprocessor 130 of the server 103 stores information indicating thecompletion of the prescription in the storage section in associationwith the authentication information of the prescribed prescription slip(ACT 44). The processor 130 may delete the authentication information ofthe prescribed prescription slip from the storage section. Through theprocessing, it can be prevented that the medicine is prescribed again onthe basis of the prescribed prescription slip.

If the authentication is failed (No in ACT 42), the processor 130notifies the second MFP 1B of the authentication failing (ACT 45). Onthe contrary, the second MFP 1B receives the notification of theauthentication failing from the server 103 through the communicationsection 55 (ACT 36). If receiving the notification of the authenticationfailing, the processor 50 of the second MFP 1B informs a messageindicating that the authentication on the scanned prescription slip isfailed or a message indicating that the prescription slip is invalid(ACT 37). For example, the processor 50 displays the message indicatingthat the authentication of the prescription slip is failed or themessage indicating that the prescription slip is invalid on the displaysection 82 of the operation panel 4. In a case in which the messageindicating that the authentication is failed is informed, the pharmacyrefuses the prescription of the medicine based on the prescription slip.

If the authentication is failed (No in ACT 42), the processor 130 of theserver 103 also notifies the hospital of the authentication failing (ACT46). Through also notifying the hospital that the authentication isfailed, in the hospital, the prescription slip of which the prescriptionis not completed (the prescription slip of which the authentication isfailed) can be grasped. Further, in the hospital which receives thenotification of the message indicating that the authentication isfailed, an inquiry relating to the prescription slip on which theprescription is invalid from the pharmacy can also be smoothly handled.

According to the foregoing processing, the MFP arranged in the pharmacyscans the prescription slip with the UV scanner capable of reading theimage formed with the UV toner. The MFP sends the image scanned by theUV scanner to the server. The server carries out the authenticationprocessing according to the information included in the image scanned bythe UV scanner of the MFP and the issued authentication informationstored in the storage section to notify the authentication result to theMFP. The MFP informs validity of the prescription slip on the basis ofthe authentication result from the server. In this way, in the pharmacyin which the MFP is arranged, the authenticity of the prescription slipcan be determined through the scanning on the prescription slip by theMFP. As a result, it is possible that the image forming system accordingto the present embodiment prevents unfair use of the prescription slip.

Next, the prescription procedure (delivery of the article based on theprinted matter) of the medicine based on the prescription slip in thepharmacy B in which the MFP equipped with the second reading section (UVscanner) 12 is not arranged is described.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating the prescription procedure ofthe medicine in the pharmacy B in which the MFP equipped with the secondreading section (UV scanner) 12 is not arranged.

In the pharmacy B, the prescription slip received from the patient isirradiated with the black light of the scanner 104. On the prescriptionslip irradiated with the black light, the authentication informationformed with the UV toner appears as the fluorescence image. The pharmacyB inquires of the server 103 about the authentication information readfrom the fluorescence image with the PC 105 or another informationtransmission means. The authenticity of the prescription slip isdetermined by inquiring of the server 103 about the information whichcan be visually recognized as the fluorescence image with the PC 105.

In other words, in the pharmacy B, the prescription slip is irradiatedwith the black light (ACT 50). The information (invisible information)of the fluorescence image appearing on the prescription slip irradiatedwith the black light is input to the PC 105 by the operator (ACT 51).The PC 105 communicates with the server 103 via a communication line torequest the server 103 to inquire (authenticate) the information inputby the operator (ACT 52).

The server 103 executes the authentication processing according to theinquiry from the PC 105 (ACT 41). The processor 130 of the server 103collates information obtained by receiving the inquiry from the PC 105and the issued authentication information stored in the storage device132 as the authentication processing. In other words, the processor 130of the server 103 determines authentication success if theauthentication information coincident with the information obtained byreceiving the inquiry from the PC 105 is stored in the storage device132. On the contrary, the processor 130 of the server 103 determinesauthentication failing if no authentication information coincident withthe information obtained by receiving the inquiry from the PC 105 isstored in the storage device 132.

If the authentication is successful (YES in ACT 42), the server 103notifies the PC 105 of the authentication success (ACT 43). If receivingthe authentication (inquiry) success from the server 103 (ACT 53), thePC 105 informs a message indicating that the authentication issuccessful or a message indicating that the prescription slip is valid(ACT 54). For example, the PC 105 displays the message indicating thatthe authentication of the prescription slip is successful or the messageindicating that the prescription slip is valid on the display device. Ina case in which the message indicating that the authentication issuccessful is informed, in the pharmacy B, the medicine is prescribed onthe basis of the prescription slip, and the prescribed medicine ishanded over to the patient. After delivering the medicine based on theprescription slip to the patient, the PC 105 may notify the server 103of the prescribed information (ACT 55). If receiving the prescribedinformation, the processor 130 of the server 103 stores the informationindicating the completion of the prescription in the storage section inassociation with the authentication information of the prescribedprescription slip (ACT 44).

If the authentication is failed (No in ACT 42), the processor 130 of theserver 103 notifies the PC 105 of the authentication failing (ACT 45).If the authentication fails (No in ACT 42), the processor 130 of theserver 103 may also notify the hospital of the authentication failing(ACT 46).

If receiving the notification of the authentication failing from theserver 103 (ACT 56), the PC 105 informs a message indicating that theauthentication on the prescription slip is failed or a messageindicating that the prescription slip is invalid (ACT 57). For example,the PC 105 displays the message indicating that the authentication ofthe prescription slip is failed or the message indicating that theprescription slip is invalid on the display device. In a case in whichthe message indicating that the authentication is failed is informed,the pharmacy refuses the prescription of the medicine based on theprescription slip.

According to the above processing, even in the pharmacy in which the MFPincluding the function of reading the image formed with the UV toner isnot arranged, it is possible to carry out the authenticity determinationof the prescription slip. Thus, the image forming system according tothe present embodiment can also be applied in the pharmacy in which theMFP including the UV scanner is not arranged. As a result, it ispossible that the image forming system according to the presentembodiment prevents the unfair use of the prescription slip withoutincreasing burdens of the pharmacy due to introducing the system.

In the digital MFP as the image forming apparatus according to theembodiment, the prescription slip which can prevent unfair duplicationor forgery of the prescription slip (printed matter) can be issued.Further, in the image forming system according to the embodiment,availability of the prescription of the medicine is conformed throughthe authenticity determination on the prescription slip (printedmatter). In this way, in the image forming system according to theembodiment, unfair prescription of medicines (sleeping pills,tranquilizers or sedatives and the like) according to an unfairprescription slip can be prevented.

The function of the server 103 in the foregoing embodiment may beincluded in the MFP 1. For example, the first MFP 1A arranged in thehospital may include the function of the server 103. In this case, thefirst MFP 1A may execute the processing in ACTs 12-13 and ACTs 21-23shown in FIG. 5 as the issuing processing of the authenticationinformation and may execute the processing in ACTs 41-46 shown in FIG. 5as the authentication processing. The foregoing image forming system canbe constructed by holding the function of the server 103 in the firstMFP 1A.

Other than in the operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, allnumbers, values and/or expressions referring to parameters,measurements, conditions, etc., used in the specification and claims areto be understood as modified in all instances by the term “about.”

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the invention. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended tocover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-functional peripheral, comprising: a printer which comprises a first image forming device configured to form an image with a visible image forming material, and a second image forming device configured to form an image with an invisible image forming material; a scanner which comprises a first image reader configured to read an image formed with the visible image forming material, and a second image reader configured to read an image formed with the invisible image forming material; an operation panel which comprises a display configured to display information, and an operation button; and a system controller which comprises an image memory configured to store a print image that should be printed on a medium, and a processor configured to, in a case of printing the print image on the medium, acquire authentication information and carry out an image forming processing on the print image with the visible image forming material by the first image forming device and the authentication information with the invisible image forming material by the second image forming device.
 2. The multi-functional peripheral according to claim 1, wherein the system controller further comprises an interface configured to communicate with a server that manages the authentication information, and the processor acquires the authentication information from the server via the interface.
 3. The multi-functional peripheral according to claim 1, wherein the system controller further comprises an interface for carrying out data communication with an external device; and the processor acquires the authentication information in a case of receiving a request of printing added with the authentication information together with the print image.
 4. The multi-functional peripheral according to claim 1, wherein the operation panel further comprises a specific button configured to instruct printing added with the authentication information on the print image, and the processor sets the visible image read by the first image reader as the print image in a case in which the specific button is instructed.
 5. The multi-functional peripheral according to claim 1, wherein the processor executes a recognition processing for detecting specific information for determining whether or not the authentication information is added to the print image, acquires the authentication information in a case in which the specific information is detected, and does not acquire the authentication information in a case in which the specific information is not detected.
 6. The multi-functional peripheral according to claim 1, wherein the system controller further comprises a storage configured to store the authentication information; and an interface configured to communicate with an external device, and in a case of receiving a read result of the image formed with the invisible image forming material on the printed matter serving as an authenticity determination object through the interface, the processor carries out an authentication processing on the printed matter serving as the authenticity determination object on the basis of the read result and the authentication information stored in the storage.
 7. An image forming system, comprising: a multi-functional peripheral and a server, wherein the multi-functional peripheral comprises: a first interface configured to communicate with a server; a printer which comprises a first image forming device configured to form an image with a visible image forming material, and a second image forming device configured to form an image with an invisible image forming material; a scanner which comprises a first image reader configured to read an image formed with the visible image forming material, and a second reader configured to read an image formed with the invisible image forming material; an operation panel which comprises a display configured to display an information, and operation button; and a system controller which comprises an image memory configured to store a print image that should be printed on a medium, a first interface configured to communicate with the server, and a processor configured to acquire authentication information from the server via the first interface and carry out an image forming processing on the print image with the visible image forming material by the first image forming device and the authentication information with the invisible image forming material by the second image forming device, and the server comprises: a second interface configured to communicate with the multi-functional peripheral; and a processor configured to send the authentication information to the multi-functional peripheral through the second interface.
 8. The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the processor of the server issues the authentication information in a case of receiving an issue request of the authentication information from the multi-functional peripheral through the second interface and sends the issued authentication information to the multi-functional peripheral through the second interface.
 9. The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the server further comprises a storage configured to store the authentication information sent to the multi-functional peripheral through the second interface, and in a case of receiving a read result by the second image reader from the multi-functional peripheral, the processor of the server carries out an authentication processing on the basis of the read result and the authentication information stored in the storage.
 10. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the processor of the server sends an authentication processing result for the multi-functional peripheral.
 11. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the processor of the server sends an authentication processing result for the multi-functional peripheral. 